Valve cap



Patented Aug. 27, 1946 FICE VALVE cnr Wesley J. Robents, North Little Rock, Ark. Application June 8, 1945, Serial No. 598,374

3 Claims. l

This invention relates to valve caps for pneumatic tires, and more particularly, to a valve cap which is fastened to the valve stem of a tire to prevent its loss but which may be manipulated to expose the valve without detaching it from said stem.

A main object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved Valve cap which affords thorough protection for the valve stem against leakage of air through the valve and which prevents the admission of dirt or other undesirable foreign matter.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved valve cap which is securely fastened to the valve stem to prevent its loss but which may be readily manipulated from an open to a 1closed ,position or from a closed to an open posiion.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description and claims, and from the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a valve stem equipped with a valve cap according to this invention.

Figure 2 is an end elevational View of the strucv ture of Figure 1.

Filgure 3 is a top View of the structure of Figure Figure 4 is a detail view in cross-section showing the cap structure in released and partly open position.

Referring to the drawing, I designates the conventional valve stem of a pneumatic tire. Threadedly engaged with valve stem I is a collar member 2 which serves as the anchoring means for the valve cap structure. Formed on one Vside of collar member 2 are a pair of eye lugs 3, 3 in which is pivotally engaged the lower straight portion 4 of a U-shaped bail member 5, preferably fabricated of stiff wire. The upper ends of the legs of -bail member 5 are formed with eye portions E. Pivotally secured to bail member 5 at eye portions 6 is a sealing cap member 1 comprising a rigid shell of metal, plastic, or other suitable material containing a deformable gasket element 8 of rubber or the like. Cap member 'I is formed with an extension 9 which carries rigidly secured thereto a pair of vertical parallel lug members I0, I9. Formed on the outwardly facing surfaces of said lug members adjacent their lower ends are curved ear members I I, I I which are respectively engaged with the eye portions -6 to pivotally secure cap member 'l to bail member 5.

The gasket element s 1s formed with a central (Cl. ISS-'893) recess I2 to provide clearance for the Vupwardly protruding end yof the valve when the cap is in clamped position on the valve stem.

Lug members Il), I0 are formed with circular openings I3, I3 adjacent their upper ends. Pivotally secured to lug members I0, I0 at said circular openings is a clamping cap member I4 cornprising a shell element adapted to closely fit over sealing cap member l. Clamping cap member I4 is provided with a rear extension I5 formed with a pair of oppositely directed lug elements I6, I6 adapted to be pivotally engaged in the respective circular openings I3, I3 and also formed with a depending arm member I1 adapted to contact the upper surface of extension 9 when clamping cap member I4 is rotated into overlying relation with sealing cap 'l and to exert a substantial pressure on said upper surface.

Clamping cap member I4 is provided with a front extension I8 formed with a notch or slot I9. Collar member 2 is formed with an eye lug 2U at its front portion in which is pivotally secured a clamping bar 2|, preferably formed of stiff wire, the upper end of said clamping bar being shaped to form a resilient hook portion L22 which is adapted to be engaged through slot I9 and exert a clamping force on the top surface of extension I8 to secure the clamping cap member I4 firmly in position over sealing cap l. The clamping force exerted by hook portion 22 combines with the clamping pressure exerted by depending arm member I'l on the upper surface of extension 9 to provide a balanced clamping action on sealing i cap 1.

Extension I8 is appropriately shaped and formed so that it may be employed as a wrench for removing or replacing the valve core.

To open the cap, clamping bar 2| is disengaged from extension I8 and clamping cap I4 is a raised to the position shown in Figure 4. Sealing cap 'I may then be lifted off the valve'cap so that access may be had to the valve. The reverse procedure is followed in closing the cap.

Collar member 2 isinitially engaged sufficiently far down on the valve stem so that the desired initial sealing pressure is obtained.

While a specific embodiment of a valve cap device has been disclosed in the foregoing description, it will be understood that various modicay tions within the spirit of the invention may occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore it is intended that no limitations be placed on the invention other thanV as defined by the scope of the appended claims,

What iS claimed is:

1. A valve cap comprising an anchor member adapted to be secured to a valve stern, a sealing cap member pivotallfr secured to said anchor member and adapted to oVerlie the top of the valve stem in sealing relation thereto, a clamping element pivotally secured to said sealing cap c member and adapted to overlie said sealing cap member and means securingsaid clamping element to said anchor member in` clamping relation to said sealing cap member.

2. A valve capV comprising a collar member adapted to be threadedly engaged with a valve stem, a sealing cap member adapted to overlie the top of the valve stem insealng'relation thereto, a` link Aconnecting said sealing cap to said collar member, a clamping element pivotally secured to said sealing cap member and adapted to closely overlie said sealing cap member, and means securing said clamping element to said collar member in clamping relation to said sealing cap member.

n 3. The structure of claim 2, and wherein said clamping element is provided adjacent'ts point of pivotal securement with said sealing cap member with a pressure arm adapted to exert a sealing force on said sealing cap member.

WESLEY J. ROBERTS. 

